Appalachian Trail: Damascus, VA to Summit Cut, VA
Tackle a rigorous 1,000-foot climb, traverse fields, and cross an impressive gorge on this 15.8-mile section.
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If you’re lucky enough to cruise through Damascus—dubbed the “friendliest town on the AT”—during Trail Days (usually mid-May), check out this popular festival. Highlights include a talent show, trout rodeo, hiker parade, and free gear repairs. Shelters: Saunders Shelter; sleeps 8. Lost Mountain Shelter; sleeps 8.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 25.7
Waypoints
WPT001
Location: 36.6378174, -81.7132034
Saunders Shelter
WPT002
Location: 36.6350327, -81.7890701
Mt. Rogers Outfitters: AT passes by Mount Rogers Outfitters (many thru-hikers change gear here). Trail also goes through town on Laurel Ave. The sidewalk is inlayed with personalized bricks from hikers. The Virginia Creeper Trail, a major crushed gravel bike path, and other cross-America bike routes also go through town
WPT002
Location: 36.6352501, -81.7160797
Side trail leads to shelter
WPT003
Location: 36.6348343, -81.7885513
Shady Ave.
WPT003
Location: 36.6369514, -81.7116165
Side trail leads to shelter (2 ways into shelter)
WPT004
Location: 36.634449, -81.7873535
Legion St.
WPT004
Location: 36.6387329, -81.7100983
Old double track
WPT005
Location: 36.6431007, -81.7036667
Views to the SE
WPT005
Location: 36.6340179, -81.7873535
The Place: House converted to Hostel. Run by the nearby church
WPT006
Location: 36.6341019, -81.7856674
Bridge crossing
WPT007
Location: 36.6339149, -81.7847824
Railroad Ave.
WPT007
Location: 36.6511497, -81.6892853
Bear Tree Gap Train to W
WPT008
Location: 36.6516151, -81.6883698
AT turns W
WPT008
Location: 36.6339493, -81.7837524
AT turns R onto Damascus Dr.; VA 91
WPT009
Location: 36.6522331, -81.6880341
Pond and water
WPT010
Location: 36.6306152, -81.783287
AT turns L onto Douglas Dr. Trail passes Sundog Outfitter (long-term parking for section hikers is available here. Also, the Sundog is a designated letter and package drop and official contact point for AT thru-hikers)
WPT010
Location: 36.6521339, -81.6878967
Campsite
WPT011
Location: 36.629715, -81.7795029
AT passes “Leaving Damascus” sign
WPT012
Location: 36.6286163, -81.7768021
AT turns W across road; piped spring is located next to stairway. Trail heads into woods from gravel path along road
WPT012
Location: 36.6535149, -81.683403
Campsite
WPT013
Location: 36.6298332, -81.7712326
Campsite
WPT014
Location: 36.6353493, -81.767601
AT turns E
WPT014
Location: 36.6541672, -81.6783142
Cross two streams
WPT015
Location: 36.638134, -81.7627182
Views to SE
WPT016
Location: 36.6403656, -81.7601166
Campsite
WPT016
Location: 36.6484489, -81.6792526
VA Creeper Trail; AT turns W; AT joins VA Creeper Trail while it runs adjacent to Whitetop Laurel Creek
WPT017
Location: 36.6420822, -81.7582855
Iron Mtn. Trail W; yellow blazes
WPT017
Location: 36.6473656, -81.6764145
Pass a good swimming spot along Whitetop Laurel Creek
WPT019
Location: 36.6472511, -81.6722336
Huge bridge trestle
WPT020
Location: 36.646965, -81.6722183
AT turns W off VA Creeper Trail on N side of the trestle
WPT021
Location: 36.6473846, -81.7405319
Multiple streams
WPT021
Location: 36.6474495, -81.6701813
Small stream crossing
WPT022
Location: 36.6459007, -81.7360535
AT turns E @ jct. with blue-blazed Feathercamp Branch Trail and Feathercamp Branch stream
WPT022
Location: 36.6492004, -81.6681976
Small stream crossing
WPT023
Location: 36.6450844, -81.7365799
US 58
WPT023
Location: 36.6494331, -81.6651001
Small stream crossing
WPT024
Location: 36.6497345, -81.6637802
VA 859. Grassy Ridge Rd.
WPT024
Location: 36.6447334, -81.7363815
Straight Branch
WPT025
Location: 36.6444511, -81.7363968
Register; Mt. Rogers Park
WPT025
Location: 36.6485481, -81.6628342
Stream; small falls
WPT026
Location: 36.6481018, -81.6634521
Small stream crossing
WPT026
Location: 36.6426163, -81.7378464
Better campground
WPT027
Location: 36.6444016, -81.6564178
Side trail leads to shelter
WPT028
Location: 36.6442833, -81.6559982
Lost Mtn. Shelter
WPT029
Location: 36.6391182, -81.7330475
Small stream crossing
WPT030
Location: 36.6330986, -81.728653
Campsite and picnic table
WPT030
Location: 36.6401482, -81.6489182
US 58; Summit Cut, VA; stream
WPT031
Location: 36.6331673, -81.7266998
Stream
WPT032
Location: 36.6305351, -81.7186661
Trail leads .5 mi. to VA Creeper Trail; AT turns E @ jct. with Taylors Valley Trail
WPT035
Location: 36.6380157, -81.7127151
Water pipe
WPT001
Location: 36.625145, -81.7909927
Tent City: This point is off the AT. This is the center of “tent city” at Trail Days, a huge event for the AT community with vendors and presentations and also a big party
Welcome to Damascus
Location: 36.6314011, -81.7916641
Damascus Sign
Location: 36.6316037, -81.7913675
‘Go In Peace’ Sign
Location: 36.6312828, -81.7925797
Trail Blaze
Location: 36.6352997, -81.7897339
The Place
Location: 36.6339836, -81.787384
Small Waterfall
Location: 36.6486015, -81.6628342
